Pop-Up: 5 Dining Events Coming to LA

Los Angeles is a foodie town. From tacos trucks to fine dining, there's an option to satisfy every appetite—usually accompanied by a dedicated following of diners. One trend becoming increasingly popular is the Pop-Up restaurant, where chefs and would-be entrepreneurs have the opportunity to test the market and forgo the expensive brick-and-mortar overhead by setting up temporary shop at an already established business. Here today, gone tomorrow; some of these pseudo-restaurant and dining events last less than 24-hours, while others stretch for weeks. Here are a few pop-ups on the immediate horizon:
Jan 18 to March 31: Greenspan’s Grilled CheeseWestfield Century City
Eric Greenspan is a French-trained former Iron Chef winner who has already made a name for himself with his Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese shops on Melrose and the The Roof on Wilshire. Now he’s bringing a new pop-up to the second level Dining Terrace of the Westfield Century City, where the menu will rotate daily and feature a special Westfield melt, made with short rib, red onions, tomato and garlic aioli. Not exactly the grilled cheese sandwich mom used to make for Sunday lunch.
Jan. 25: Bock FestMillenium Biltmore Hotel
For one day and one day only, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel becomes a mini-Munich for Bock Fest, January’s version of Oktoberfest. If you’ve grown tired of the same dainty wine tastings and tapas-style menus, then you’ll enjoy getting to try some of the world’s top winter lagers. At the end of the day, two Beers will be crowned Winter Beer Festival Champions of the world. The souvenir pint glass is a nice take home for VIP ticket holders.
February 7: LA Bacon FestParamount Studios
Paramount Studios transforms its New York back lot into a one-day celebration of everything bacon. The 3rd annual LA Bacon Fest will feature some of the city’s top restaurants and bakeries, representing the pork product’s multifaceted application. From bacon deserts to LA's famous bacon-wrapped hot dogs, this is one cholesterol-ridden "cheat day." With admission comes access to all-you-can-drink-responsibly beer from more than 20 breweries, free food samples and fun-filled activities to help work off at least a few of those extra calories.
March 29: Cochon 555
TBD
Cochon 555 isn’t technically a pop-up. It’s a national tour and pork competition that helps promote the sustainable and humane farming of pigs. After a stop in New York, this “five chefs, five pigs and five winemakers" culinary event will be making its way to Los Angeles at the end of March. Chefs will compete to be crowned the Prince or Princess of Pork by preparing a menu using a whole pig, from snout-to-tail, for a panel of 20 judges—and the audience, of course. You’ll have to check back for the official location, which is listed on their website as: TBD. Meanwhile, all-inclusive tickets start at $125, ranging all the way up to $300 for the VIP Chef’s Course and official Cochon Cookbook.
Ongoing: Living Breathing KitchenVarious Locations
Described as an “urban epicurean experiment,” you’ll have to follow this delectable pop-up on Twitter and Facebook to know when and where it will, um, pop up next. The Living Breathing Kitchen recently hosted a 60-day tasting brunch out of the Coco Laurent building downtown. Their menu consisted of small bites, including race paper dumplings stuffed with seafood gumbo, and big bites like filet mignon in a smoked demi-glace. Dessert was a red wine poached pear sorbet.
Share you favorite pop-ups in the comments section and find more dining options with the LosAngeles.com Restaurant Directory.